Program Overview

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice

The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is designed for students seeking entry into the criminal justice field and those who already work in the system and wish to broaden their skills and expertise. This program is ranked #3 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Programs in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Program Overview

The M.A. in Criminal Justice program offers a broad range of classes in areas such as leadership, crisis and emergency management, criminal profiling, law and public policy, crime analysis, forensic psychology, sex crimes, terrorism, and victimology. The program is designed to meet the changing needs of our society, and throughout this program, students will develop the knowledge to evaluate policies, model best practices, and build skills in crisis and emergency management.

Career Outlook

According to labor market analytics, there are 28,443 jobs in the field, with an 8.9% change in employment opportunities. The median earnings for professionals in this field are $115,000 per year, with 2,492 annual openings. Some potential occupations for graduates of this program include:

• Corrections Officer
• Criminal Justice Educator
• Criminologist
• Federal Agent (CIA, FBI, DEA)
• Forensic Scientist
• Industrial Security Consultant
• Information Security Analyst
• Parole Officer Supervisor
• Police Chief or Detective
• Prison Warden
• Private Investigator
• Probation Officer
• Security Operations Manager
• U.S. Customs Agent
• U.S. Marshall
• Victim Advocate

Curriculum Outline

The program requires a total of 11 courses (33 credits) and includes:

Required Foundations Courses (5 Courses / 15cr)

• CRIM.5200 Administration of Justice
• CRIM.5010 Criminological Theory: Foundations
• CRIM.5900 Descriptive & Inferential Statistics
• CRIM.5910 Research Design
• CRIM.5210 Managing Justice Organizations OR
• CRIM.6130 Law and Public Policy (Available Spring 2026)

Criminal Justice Elective Courses (Choose 6)

Students can choose from a variety of elective courses, including:

• CRIM.5700 Crisis and Emergency Management
• CRIM.6300 Victimology
• CRIM.5710 Domestic Terrorism and Violent Extremism
• CRIM.5220 Issues in Policing
• CRIM.5400 Criminal Profiling
• CRIM.5410 Forensic Psychology
• CRIM.6400 Criminal Mind and Behavior
• CRIM.6410 Mental Health & Criminal Justice
• CRIM.5720 Comparative Terrorism and Counterterrorism
• CRIM.5730 Threat Assessment and Risk Management
• CRIM.5740 Overview of Homeland Security
• CRIM.6510 Criminal Homicide
• CRIM.6550 Substance Abuse and Crime
• CRIM.6310 Intimate Partner Violence
• CRIM.6320 Responding to Child Maltreatment
• CRIM.6500 Violence in America
• CRIM.6420 Sexual Abuse: Dynamics, Responses, and Prevention
• CRIM.6919 Directed Study in Criminal Justice
• CRIM.6940 Crime Analysis and Mapping

Course Descriptions

Each course has a detailed description, including topics covered, requirements, and prerequisites. For example:

CRIM.5010 Criminological Theory: Foundations (3cr)

This course provides a detailed examination of the best known and most influential theories of crime causation.

Program Requirements

To be recommended for a University of Massachusetts Lowell master's degree, candidates must satisfy all of the general requirements, including:

• Completing the program of study designed by the Department
• Earning satisfactory grades in all subjects offered for the degree
• Satisfying all financial obligations
• Submitting a signed Declaration of Intent to Graduate (DIG) form

Graduate Program Policies

In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations, and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on their website.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. The cost per credit for graduate online courses is $610, with a total cost per 3-credit course of $1,830.

Additional Costs

• Term Registration Fee: $30
• Returned Check Fee: $30
• Graduate Degree and Certificate Application: $50

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.800 GPA from an accredited institution
• Official transcripts
• Official test scores (if English is not the national language in the home country)
• A statement of purpose
• Two letters of recommendation (optional)

Frequently Asked Questions

• What can you do with a Master's in Criminal Justice?
• Should I get a Master's in Criminal Justice?
• Is a Master's in Criminal Justice worth it?
• What is the best online Master's in Criminal Justice?